From Cotton Fields to Sports Capital
Carrara's story spans over 160 years, beginning with cotton plantations in the 1860s and evolving into one of Australia's most significant sporting destinations. This transformation reflects the broader development of the Gold Coast region.
1860s
First Settlement
Cotton Plantation Era
13,138
Current Population
(2021 Census)
25,000
Stadium Capacity
People First Stadium
2018
Commonwealth Games
Host Venue
1860s - Early Settlement
Cotton Plantation Era
Carrara was first established as a cotton plantation by the Manchester Cotton Company in the early 1860s. The rich soil and favorable climate made it ideal for agricultural development.
- 1865: Nerang Township allocated on slope overlooking the river
- 1875: Southport township surveyed at Nerang Creek Heads
1902 - Education Begins
First School Established
Carrara Provisional School opened in February 1902 on premises lent by farmer Francis Parr. The land was later donated by local farmer William for a permanent school building.
1968 - Water Sports Development
Carrara Water Ski School
Neville Parker purchased riverside land adjacent to Surfers Paradise Ski Gardens and established the Carrara Water Ski School, marking the beginning of the area's sports focus.
1980s - Educational Expansion
Major Colleges Open
- 1983: Emmanuel College opened on January 24th
- 1985: St Michael's College opened its Carrara campus on February 4th
- 1983: Nerang Bulls Rugby Union Club formed at Carrara Oval
1987 - Stadium Era Begins
Original Carrara Stadium Opens
Following Brisbane Bears' VFL entry, Carrara Stadium was constructed and opened. Christopher Skase invested $1 million in redevelopment, creating seating for 6,000 spectators with a maximum capacity of 16,500.
- First VFL game: Fitzroy Lions defeated Brisbane Bears (April 19)
- Record crowd: 17,795 attendees
- New electronic scoreboard installed
1990s - Multi-Sport Venue
Basketball and Baseball
Carrara became a multi-sport destination with the construction of the Indoor Stadium and hosting various professional teams:
- 1990: Gold Coast Rollers basketball team (NBL)
- 1990: Gold Coast Clippers baseball team
- 1996: Gold Coast Chargers rugby league team
- 1998: Chargers folded after three seasons
2000s - Modern Sports Precinct
AFL and Major Redevelopment
The area was officially named Carrara (previously Merrimac-Carrara Flood Plain) and began its transformation into a world-class sports precinct.
- 2007: Gold Coast Titans rugby league team
- 2009: Gold Coast Suns AFL team established
- 2009: $126 million redevelopment confirmed
- 2010: Old stadium demolished and rebuilt
2011 - Stadium Reopens
Modern 25,000 Capacity Venue
The completely rebuilt stadium reopened with state-of-the-art facilities, horseshoe-shaped grandstand, and capacity for 25,000 (expandable to 40,000).
- LED video board installed
- Gold Coast Suns began playing AFL matches
- Successful bid for 2018 Commonwealth Games
2018 - Commonwealth Games
International Sporting Recognition
Carrara Stadium hosted the opening and closing ceremonies plus athletics events for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, showcasing the venue to a global audience.
- $148 million total precinct investment
- Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre opened
- Squash Australia moved headquarters to precinct
2020s - Continued Growth
Premier Sports Destination
Today, Carrara stands as Australia's premier regional sports precinct, home to multiple world-class facilities and continuing to attract major sporting events and organizations.
- 2020: Brisbane Roar moved training base to precinct
- People First Stadium (25,000 capacity)
- Gold Coast Sports and Leisure Centre (5,000 capacity)
- Carrara Indoor Sports Stadium (2,992 capacity)
Legacy and Future
From its humble beginnings as a cotton plantation to its current status as a world-class sports precinct, Carrara exemplifies the Gold Coast's dynamic growth and development. The area continues to evolve, attracting new businesses, residents, and visitors while maintaining its strong sporting heritage.